Malta’s Voice Echoes Globally: Condemning Israel’s ‘Discriminatory’ Death Penalty Law

In the heart of Valletta, at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, a small team was huddled around a table, drafting a statement that would echo Malta’s voice on the global stage. The topic at hand? Israel’s recently passed ‘Nation-State’ law, a contentious piece of legislation that has sparked international debate and criticism, including from our tiny Mediterranean island nation.

From Rabat to Jerusalem: Malta’s Stance

Malta, known for its progressive stance on human rights and democracy, has joined the global chorus condemning Israel’s new law. The law, officially titled ‘Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People’, has been criticized for potentially discriminating against Israel’s non-Jewish citizens, particularly its Arab minority. The law has been slammed for downgrading Arabic from an official language to one with ‘special status’, and for stating that ‘the right to exercise national self-determination in the State of Israel is unique to the Jewish people’.

In a statement released from the Ministry in Rabat, Malta’s government expressed concern that the law ‘may have implications on the rights of Israel’s Arab minority and could potentially lead to discrimination’. The statement, signed off by Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo, echoed sentiments shared by many international bodies and governments, including the United Nations and the European Union.

Malta’s History of Human Rights Advocacy

Malta’s condemnation of Israel’s law is not an isolated incident. Our island nation has a long history of advocating for human rights and democracy on the global stage. From its role in the Arab Spring to its strong stance on LGBTQ+ rights, Malta has consistently punched above its weight in promoting these values.

In fact, Malta’s commitment to human rights is enshrined in its constitution. The document, drafted in 1964, explicitly states that Malta is ‘a sovereign democratic republic’ that ‘acknowledges that every person has the duty to work, within the community of nations, for the promotion and maintenance of peace, justice, economic prosperity, and social progress’. This commitment to human rights and democracy is a key part of Malta’s foreign policy, and it’s a commitment that Maltese citizens can be proud of.

: Dialogue and Diplomacy

While Malta’s statement has been critical of Israel’s new law, it’s important to note that it has also called for dialogue and diplomacy. The statement, issued from the Ministry in Rabat, emphasized the need for ‘open dialogue and constructive engagement’ between Israel and its neighbors, as well as between Israel and the international community.

This emphasis on dialogue is a key part of Malta’s approach to international relations. Malta believes in the power of diplomacy to resolve conflicts and promote human rights. As we look ahead, it’s clear that this commitment to dialogue and diplomacy will continue to guide Malta’s foreign policy, both in the Middle East and beyond.

As Maltese citizens, we can be proud of our government’s commitment to human rights and democracy. We can be proud of our government’s willingness to stand up for what it believes in, even when those beliefs are not popular. And we can be proud of our government’s commitment to dialogue and diplomacy, to finding peaceful solutions to the complex challenges that face our world.

In the words of former Maltese President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, ‘Malta is a small country with a big heart. We may be small, but our voice echoes loud and clear on the global stage. And we will continue to use that voice to promote human rights, democracy, and peace, wherever they are threatened.’